Environmental conservation bureaucrats in the dock
The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, its Director General, the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, the Mannar Divisional Secretary, the Central Environmental Authority and the Attorney General have been named as respondents in a fundamental rights petition filed against illegal mineral mining on the Mannar Island.
The Supreme Court has declared that the petition will be called on 10 February, 2026, for consideration. The announcement was made by a bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Sampath Abeykoon yesterday (13)
The petition was filed by a group including Father Santiago Marcus, the Chairman of the Environmental Justice Center and Mannar Citizens’ Committee along with a group.
The petitioners have alleged that licences have been issued for mineral mining activities in the Mannar Island area.
The petitioners stated that the area in question contains mineral deposits of significant value unique to Sri Lanka, and emphasised that the issuance of mining licenses without conducting a proper tender process is in violation of the law.
The petitioners further highlighted that this practice could allow foreign companies through their local representatives to extract and export the minerals without adding appropriate value, potentially resulting in substantial economic losses for the country.
The petitioners have urged the court to determine that the fundamental human rights of the people have been violated and to issue an order invalidating any mineral mining licenses that were granted without adhering to the proper legal procedures.
Additionally, the petition seeks a directive requiring the Central Environmental Authority to conduct an environmental assessment of the area before any mining activities commence, and calls for the Geology and Mines Bureau to be instructed to halt the issuance of new licences for the said mining projects.